News
May - Older Americans Month
May is Older Americans Month—a tradition dating back to 1963 to honor the legacies and ongoing contributions of older Americans and support them as they enter the next stage in life. The White River Area Agency on Aging, Inc. is joining communities nationwide in celebrating this month.
This year’s Older Americans Month theme—Age Strong! Live Long!—recognizes the diversity and vitality of today’s older Americans who span three generations.
President Barrack Obama and Governor Mike Beebe have both signed proclamations declaring May 2010 as Older Americans Month.
Older Americans have lived through wars and hard times, as well as periods of unprecedented prosperity. Older Americans are living longer and are more active than ever before. While keeping the growing population of older Americans healthy and active will increase the demand for senior services, what is remarkable is the extent to which older Americans themselves are supporting each other. As the new generations of seniors become better educated and more financially secure than their predecessors, they are spending more time making significant contributions in their communities through civic and volunteer opportunities.
In fact, older Americans are a core component of service delivery to seniors—embodying and modeling the drive to Age Strong! Live Long! They volunteer at group meal sites and deliver food to homebound seniors; they act as escorts and provide transportation for older adults who cannot drive; they help seniors with home repair, shopping and errands; volunteer in our local schools as Foster Grandparents for special needs children and they provide vital counseling, information and referral services. Their energy and commitment reminds all Americans—not just senior citizens and their caregivers—to do their part to enhance the quality of life for all generations.
The annual commemoration of Older Americans Month is our opportunity to recognize the contributions of older citizens and join them in providing services and support that empower all generations.
To contact the White River Area Agency on Aging, Inc. about volunteering in your community call 800-382-3205 or visit us on the internet at www.wraaa.com.
Governor Proclaims May as Older Arkansans Month in Arkansas
Why the Census is Important
LITTLE ROCK - With the 2010 Census just around the corner, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel issues this alert to let Arkansans know why the census is important.
"It is very important for all Arkansans to respond to the Census and to ensure their forms are complete and accurate," said Attorney General McDaniel. "The Census contains just 10 questions, takes a few minutes to complete and has a real impact in the lives of Arkansans."
Census forms are being mailed to each household in March 2010. The goal of every Census is to come as close as possible to accurately counting every person residing in the United States. Locally, the Census affects the lives of Arkansans in many ways. First, the Census is used to determine how many of the 435 seats are allocated to a State in the House of Representatives. Currently, Arkansas has four members of the House of Representatives.
The Census also plays a very large role in determining how nearly $400 billion in federal funds are spent each year for infrastructure and other services for all of the States. "For every Arkansan who is not counted the state will lose about $1300 in funds to create jobs, provide services and enhance our infrastructure," McDaniel said. In addition, businesses often use census data as a means to determine the location of retail stores, housing and other facilities. Census data is also used by policymakers to as a factor to decide where to build roads, hospitals, housing, schools and more.
To learn more about the census process, go to www.ArkansasAG.gov,and click on "Census 2010". For more information or to file a complaint, contact the Public Protection Department of the Arkansas Attorney General's Office at (501) 682-2341 or toll-free statewide, at (800) 482-8982.
White River Area Agency on Aging, Inc is Seeking Senior Arkansans to Participate in the 2010 Silver Haired Legislative Session
White River Area Agency on Aging, Inc is Seeking Senior Arkansans to Participate in the 2010 Silver Haired Legislative Session
The Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services, in partnership with the Arkansas Area Agencies on Aging, is seeking Arkansans who are at least 60 years old to volunteer to serve as delegates to the Seventeenth Biennial Silver Haired Legislative Session taking place on August 25 -26, 2010. Delegates will act as legislators in this non-partisan session by writing, debating, and voting on bills addressing issues critical to older Arkansans.
Organizers are seeking one delegate from each Arkansas County. Anyone who is interested in becoming a delegate should contact the Area Agency on Aging in their county or the Division of Aging and Adult Services. County candidates need to circulate qualifying petitions and submit them to their Area Agency on Aging by April 15, 2010. Elected delegates will receive training on topics such as the legislative process, how to write bills, and how a bill becomes a law.
The Silver Haired Legislative Session has been conducted biennially since its institution by a 1977 General Assembly resolution sponsored by Rep. B. G. Hendrix and the late Rep. W. F. “Bill” Foster. It is one of at least 28 such sessions held throughout the country to give senior citizens a chance to participate in the legislative process.
For more information please contact Peggy Pearce at 870-612-3000 or 1-800-382-3205. You may also access information on the DAAS website at http://www.daas.ar.gov/.
White River Area Agency on Aging, Inc. Breaks Ground for Their New Cleburne County Office Building
Ed Haas, Executive Director of The White River Area Agency on Aging, Inc., announces the construction of a new 2,000 square foot office building for their Cleburne County Staff.
The Building was designed by the late Frank McGary of Heber Springs, and the contractor is Allgood Construction Company of Batesville. It will be located on the Wilburn Highway, just East of Holland's Exxon.
White River AAA, a nonprofit organization serving 10 counties in Northcentral Arkansas, offers In-Home care services for seniors and adults with physical disabilities, Personal Emergency Response Systems, Case Management and Coordination, Medicare counseling, and other advocacy services for senior citizens.
Customer Appreciation
On October 10, WRAAA participated with Horseshoe Bend Health and Medicine for a Customer Appreciation Day. The event was hosted between 10 am and 2 pm. Horseshoe Bend Health and Medicine supplied flu shots and certain immunizations. They performed free blood pressure checks and blood sugar screening.
A bounce house was provided for the children and a free catfish lunch for attendees. Latricia Weaver and Cindy Searcy hosted the WRAAA booth to provide information about WRAAA services. There were over a hundred in attendance.
Medicare Part D Open Enrollment
November 15, through the end of December is the Open Enrollment for Medicare Part D. During this time, persons who have not purchased this coverage for their prescription drugs, can do so. Also, persons who wish to review coverage options and maybe change to another provider also have this opportunity.
WRAAA staff will be on hand during scheduled enrollment fairs to assist Medicare beneficiaries in looking at the available plans.
Persons should bring the prescription medicines they take on a regular basis and their Medicare card.
WRAAA Board Member Von Dean Jeffery Passes Away
On October 23, 2009 WRAAA lost another Board Member and friend to aging. Von Dean Jeffery had served on the Board of Directors, representing Stone County, for ten years, also serving on the Finance Committee. He was a teacher and coach for many years and well known in the Mountain View area. His popularity was shown in the large number of people who shared in the Memorial Service, his character attested to by those who told humorous stories and fondly remembered how he lived his life. The celebration of his life on October 26 was held in the high school gymnasium named in his honor.